We love LA

While 100,000-plus people were celebrating the Lakers’ championship at the parade, there was a quieter salute taking place today at Fire Station 20, as we took Rafael Furcal over to visit the station that is responsible for Dodger Stadium. What a cool visit, with Raffy actually getting on a truck as they were heading off to a fire.

David Ely was there for MLB.com, so you should see a story up soon on dodgers.com, but it was a pretty cool experience for Raffy, who has been working to secure a fire truck for his hometown in the Dominican Republic.

He’s hitting second again tonight as we take on the A’s with free parking again (and a salute to firefighters at the stadium).

Good lineup in general, other than JP doesn’t belong in leadoff anymore – in order for Torre to recognize that and do anything about it, I give anywhere from 6 months to never.
If you’re going to play Martin, he’s in the correct placement in the lineup. I’m looking forward to seeing Ellis get a chance to start a few games while Martin is struggling. Wouldn’t it be a kick if Ellis went on a tear and gave Martin and Torre something to think about. Of, course, I give anywhere between 6 months and never for Torre to let that happen.

“Maybe Brad should had caught him [Kershaw] instead of Martin.
By shad15 on June 16, 2009 7:49 PM”

“I made a mention of that before. Has Ausmus ever been given the chance to catch and call the game for Kersh?
By messagebear@msn.com on June 16, 2009 7:50 PM”

Wonder no more:

Ausmus caught Kershaw’s game on 5/17 against the Marlins in Florida. 7IP, 1 ER, 4BBs, 9Ks. We won, 12-5. It’s the only one that he’s caught for the kid, at least as a starter. He’s caught Billz 3 times, Wolf twice, McDonald, Stultz, Weaver and Milton once each. By the way, we’re 7 – 3 in Ausmus’ starts, pretty close to our current .662 winning %. At least as close as you can get in 10 games.

There can be only one good reason for Torre to continue hitting our best all-around hitter in the bottom half of the lineup: he must think that his psyche can’t handle the pressure at the top. At least that’s all I can think of. Several people here keep telling me that Torre isn’t the idiot I keep claiming him to be.

Was it only a few short weeks ago when JP was hitting .400 driving in and scoring runs in bunches that people wondered what to do with him when Manny returned from his PED induced vacation? It seems Mr. Pierre has taken care of that little dilema by coming back to his normal self. So Bear, in a short while you won’t have to worry about where JP bats in the lineup because he won’t be in the lineup.

I remember JP hitting close to 400, and I remember Casey batting 8th, when he was hitting better than Martin, Raffy (the fireman) and Dre (the mailman), so it is team effort supported by each player and the Manager, and we dont have 6 months left to figure that out!
The Giants got swept at home by the Angels, Thank you
So Go Dodgers!

the LA streets were insane today with lakers and all.. but now that all that’s over, everyone can focus on our boys in blue!!

i guess joe has a feeling that he’ll need kemp’s clutch hitting later in the order.. he was batting 6th yesterday.. 7th today.. if he goes 4-4 with a homer he’ll see himself batting 8th tomorrow.. lame =P

I should have added that the batting order continues so if the batter who made the last out is batting sixth, the seventh hitter would lead off the next game. Once the order is set for the first game, it never changes.

I find it a little strange that Joe keeps steadfast in his 1-2-3 hitters but creates havoc with the remaining batters. I’d like to see Juan have a few days off for some much needed rest. Actually, I think Joe selects his lineup like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey.

You have Phil who won championships in Chicago and LA. You have LaRussa who won it with the Oakland and Cardinals and now Torre could make more history if the Dodgers win the WS this year and the last time the Lakers and Dodgers won together were in 1988.

Enchanted ~ you are probably right about the velcro. Kids don’t have any fun nowadays. No Dodgeball (too vioent) no running (kids might get too hot) Nelly says her parents get upset if their child has to run. Heaven forbid they should break a sweat!

This list is TOTALLY BOGUS!
How can Red Auerbach miss the top five?
Opinions are like A-holes. EVERYBODY’S got one.
Yahoo may have pretty good sports coverage in general, but the nimrods who come up with these ‘magic lists’ haven’t lived long enough, or done enough research beyond their years. It’s even worse with their music critics! If you’re not a Generation X’er or later, you simply don’t count. Talk about discrimination!!!

lol @ Penny his last 2 games pitching thrown 11 innings allowing 9 hits 1 runs but none earned. He never pitch well against his former team the Marlins but he did shutdown the Yankees in his other start.

Beav – JP even scored a run for you so you will stay. He knows you aren’t really sore at him, and he will try to do better. Meanwhile……………….June Darlin’ is LHAO because she can’t type that with a straight face.

So it hurts me to say this because he is my favorite player, but Russ is this years andruw jones, he cant even make a productive out, all u can hope for when he’s up with runners on is a strikout so he doesnt hit into a double play, start Ausmus, I was at all all 3 games in texas and Ausmus did great on sunday. I want Russ to figure it out but how long can we wait? GO DODGERS!!

My purpose is two-fold. 1) Lure enchanted and/or jhall out to play and 2) start some good luck ala the Hollywood Squares comeback night a little while ago that kahli and I did. Our boys aren’t back yet but we’re back in the game!

He’s come to rescue me, father!
Well, let’s not jump to conclusions.
Did you kill all those guards?
Um… oh, yes! Sorry.
They cost fifty pounds each!
Well, the thing is, I thought your son was a lady.
Well, I can understand that.

That’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
You ***! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Look, that rabbit’s got a vicious streak a mile wide! It’s a killer!
Get stuffed!
He’ll do you up a treat, mate.
Oh, yeah?
You manky Scots git!
I’m warning you!
What’s he do? Nibble your bum?

How do you do, good lady? I am Arthur, King of the Britons. Whose castle is that?
King of the who?
King of the Britons.
Who are the Britons?
Well, we all are. We are all Britons. And I am your king.
I didn’t know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective.
You’re foolin’ yourself! We’re living in a dictatorship. A self-perpetuating autocracy in which the working class…
Oh, there you go bringing class into it again.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre spoke with suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez on Wednesday about starting a rehab assignment next week, but nothing was finalized.

Torre said Ramirez missed another workout because of a cold or flu.

“He’s still bothered by a sore throat,” said Torre. “We talked about sometime early next week, he’ll play some games. I think in San Bernardino. We’re thinking about the convenience of the thing. We’re still communicating. Nothing is scheduled. We have to get him back on the field. We hope he can work out tomorrow.”

Well now, that was interesting. I read your ‘goodnight’ to D4 @ 10:34, scrolled up to see his post @ 10:32, typed my ‘goodnight’ post, hit submit, and it came out on top of your 10:34. How ……… nevermind.

I heard the funniest thing on KNBR (bay area sports radio)today on my way home from Michael’s game. A caller called in and wished he had Ned Colletti back. That all their problems began when he left. Funny……………..many of our problems began when he showed up.

Not sure if I did my math correctly, but I believe in the 37 post-Manny-suspension games the Dodgers have gained two games on the Gnats in the standings. Golly gee, I don’t believe there’ll be a Pierre controversy anymore starting July 3. Sometimes Joe makes me scratch my head. For all the mind games and bench warming Ethier and Kemp had to withstand, how come Russell Martin gets a free pass game after game?

32and53 – now that I know I was looking at the right thing………………it was kind of cool. Good Night and Take Care.

Kahli – I am not sure what Torre thinks when he thinks about Russell. However, up until this last month or so, I thought Russell was kind of off limits as a “problem” topic. I am glad to know that all players are being held accountable for the play they take to the field everyday here on ITD. I just wish Torre would think the same way sometimes.

LMAO – you guys crack me up. I was so tired last night that after I signed off I watched about 20 minutes of TV, then fell asleep.

Now let me tell you what else I’m tired of:
.
I’m tired of the team not beiing able to pound mediocre pitching.
.
I’m tire of JP’s worthless rearend leading off every single game.
.
I’m tired of Russs Martin being Andruw Jones.
.
I’m tired of JoJo The Clown using Loretta every freaking critical pinch hit AB.
.
I’m tired of JoJo jerking Kemp up and down the order when he’s the hottest hitter.
.
And I’m really tired of the team not bothering to start playing the game until the 7th inning.

Ok look what I just dug up a game last year when Kemp threw out Blake as a member of the Indians. This was the good Martin batting .310 after that game and sorry to say Pierre leading off and Kemp in the 2nd hold and Loney protection Kent in the clean up spot but too bad for LaRoche.

Good Morning everybody ~ I too am glad you got a good nighy’s sleep Enchanted. Please take a nap this afternoon so we can have the pleasure of your company tonight! Juanpy and crew need you to cheer them on! LOL

I went to bed at 9 pm and this is way too early for me and than woke up around 1:30 am to check out the scored. I went to back to bed at around 3 at around 6:45 and never went back to bed since than and I about to hit the bed again since I have big headache.

I went to bed at 9 pm and this is way too early for me and than woke up around 1:30 am to check out the scored. I went to back to bed at around 3 got up at 6:45 and never went back to bed since than and I about to hit the bed again since I have big headache.

Why is it that we cannot get a half way realiable pinch-hitter on the Dodgers. Last year we opted for Sweeney and never backed off regardless of how low his avg. went. This year Loretta started out OK, but he’s clearly unable to produce. We’re sticking with these guys like there is no other option available, and they are costing us games. If it was a pitcher or another position player that was not making the grade, we’d surely cut them, option them, or do something to change the scenario, but with Joe that just never happens when it comes to his designated pinch-hitter. That’s one reason some of us called Joe and IDIOT, even if he’s going to be a Hall of Fame IDIOT.

I was at the game last night and noticed 3 things…Juan sucks, Russ sucks and Matt Kemp is the best player on our team. He strikes out still but he doesn’t look bat doing it anymore. He’s going to be special.

Hello everyone, what a brutal game to watch last night. We missed several opportunities to win it, but when you are 20 games over .500, life is good. Andre disappointed me in the first inning swinging at the 3-1 pitch. I would have made him throw 2 more strikes in a row, he was struggling.

I have to agree with everyone on the #9 discussion, he needs to sit down. The attempted bunt in the 6th or 7th with the tying run on 3rd and 2 out was pathetic…he had a nice 3 week run…now sit him Joe for a couple of games.

Russell Martin has been worse then Juan Pierre for an entire year now…read the new MSTI post. It is brutal. I think we’ve seen the best of Russel Martin. Too bad we dont have Carlos Santana too look forward too…Thanks again Ned!

oh, and i know we don’t attribute all the power to coors field anymore.. but if anyone wants to use that as an argument against iannetta’s power, then i guess i’ll throw in that only 3 of those 9 homers are at coors

Ramslover – I didn’t see it, but I heard about Andre’s pop up with a 3-1 count, but I am sure no one is more upset about that pop up than Andre himself. I don’t think he will be making that mistake again anytime soon.

Sara – like every year……………I don’t think we can ever rule out the Rockies wherever they happen to be in the standings. Their tear in 2007 is what makes me think no lead is a safe lead in terms of where a team is in the standings. That is amazing about Ianetta!!

dnelly, the rockies are a good enough team that they can roll off a few BIG winning streaks.. we should never feel safe.. this is baseball.. and we’re due to slump for a bit.. hopefully our slump is minimal.. or the current slight slump is the worst of it.. hopefully..

aeversw – that was a great entry on MSTI. Should be required reading. Very interesting what the scout had to say about Russ also.

So as I read it and the fan reactions, the possible causes of his slump are:
.
(A) Coming off roids
(B) Girfriend
(C) Prematurely old
(D) Undisclosed injury
(E) Other
(F) All of the above
(G) None of the above.

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